News about Wisconsin's Technical Colleges: where we help students find their passion and fulfill their potential while contributing to the health of Wisconsin's economy.

WITC puts students to work

April 11, 2013

From northlandnewscenter.com: “Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College puts students to work” — Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is saying “Let’s Get to Work!”

Companies from throughout Twin Ports visited the college to collect resumes and give advice to eager students.

With graduation just around the corner, the college held a job fair to help students transition into the real world.

“They’re starting to think about how to land that first job…we have a number of workshops on how to tie a tie, how to do an interview, and a whole bunch of other topics,” says Bob Meyer, President of WITC.

Meyer says the high demand for skilled workers in Northland states was one of the major reasons “Let’s Get to Work” was created.

“There’s a high demand for skilled workers in Wisconsin and in Minnesota even in the Dakotas with all the drilling for natural gas and oil out there…huge demand for welders, machinists, and of course with the baby boomers retiring there’s also a lot of demand in health occupations,” Meyer adds.

Employers have seen the benefits of attending the fair by finding their next crop of workers.

“We have about a 91 percent placement rate. It’s been pretty much at that level all through the recession,” says Meyer.

And with such a high success rate, businesses like this one, keep coming back.

“Oh we’ve been attending this for a number of years,” says Sandi Wade, a nurse at Interim Healthcare.

And with good reason. Interim Health Care has experienced the advantages of the attending the fair, first hand.

“What’s nice about coming here is they have a nursing program so the nurses that are graduating may apply with us and…we have had students in past years that have applied for us and are still working with us, “Wade continues.

WITC filled the students with career guided information then filled their stomachs with a spaghetti lunch.

The final event showcased a panel of HR employees giving tips on how to make a lasting impression.